The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is a gateway for eligible male and female candidates to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) as Group A Gazetted Officers in various branches, including Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical). This comprehensive guide provides an in-depth look at the AFCAT salary structure for 2024, including in-hand salary, allowances, benefits, job profiles, and career growth opportunities.
Overview of AFCAT Salary 2024
The AFCAT exam is conducted to recruit candidates for various positions in the IAF, with a starting basic pay of ₹56,100 per month. The compensation package includes a range of allowances and benefits, making it an attractive career option. The AFCAT 2 notification for 2024 announced 304 vacancies. Here is a detailed breakdown of the salary and allowances for different ranks in the IAF.
Basic Pay Structure
| Rank | Level | Pay Scale (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Officer | 10 | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Flight Lieutenant | 10 B | 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Squadron Leader | 11 | 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Wing Commander | 12A | 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Group Captain | 13 | 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
| Air Commodore | 13A | 1,39,600 – 2,17,600 |
| Air Vice Marshal | 14 | 1,44,200 – 2,18,200 |
| Air Marshal (HAG Scale) | 15 | 1,82,200 – 2,24,100 |
| HAG + Scale | 16 | 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| VACS/Air Force Cdr/Air Marshal (NFSG) | 17 | 2,25,000 (fixed) |
| CAS | 18 | 2,50,000 (fixed) |
Allowances for Newly Commissioned Officers
Officers in the Flying and Technical branches receive specific allowances in addition to their basic pay.
- Flying Allowance: ₹11,250 per month for Flying Branch Officers.
- Technical Allowance: ₹2,500 per month for Technical Branch Officers.
Detailed Allowance Structure
Flying Pay by Rank
| Rank | Flying Pay (₹) |
|---|---|
| Flying Officer | 11,250 |
| Flight Lieutenant | 13,750 |
| Squadron Leader | 17,500 |
| Wing Commander | 17,500 |
| Group Captain | 17,500 |
| Air Commodore & above | 13,125 |
AFCAT Salary for Different Branches
The salary structure varies slightly based on the branch and includes additional allowances specific to each branch.
| Salary Details | Flying Branch (₹) | Ground Duty (Technical Branch) (₹) | Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branch) (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay | 56,100 | 56,100 | 56,100 |
| Military Service Pay (MSP) | 15,500 | 15,500 | 15,500 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | 15,708 | 15,708 | 15,708 |
| Branch Specific Pay | 25,000 | 10,000 | – |
| Transport Allowance (TA) | 7,200 | 7,200 | 7,200 |
| DA on TA | 2,016 | 2,016 | 2,016 |
| Kit Maintenance | 600 | – | – |
| Gross Salary | 1,22,024 | 1,06,524 | 96,524 |
AFCAT Training Stipend
During the training period, candidates receive a stipend to cover their expenses. The stipend amount varies based on the training phase and the trainee’s rank.
Training Stipend Details
- Phase-I Training (Flying Officer): ₹56,100 per month
- Phase-II Training (Flight Lieutenant): ₹61,300 per month
- Phase-III Training (Squadron Leader): ₹69,400 per month
Upon completing the training, officers transition to their regular salary based on their rank and branch.
Additional Benefits for Air Force Officers
In addition to the salary, Air Force officers receive various allowances depending on their duties and place of assignment. These include:
- Flying Allowance for officers in the Flying Branch
- Technical Allowance for officers in the Technical Branch
- Field Area Allowance
- Special Force Allowance
- Siachen Allowance
- Special Compensatory (Hill area) Allowance
- Island Special Duty Allowance
- Area and Remote Locality Allowance
Privileges and Benefits
Officers enjoy numerous benefits and amenities, such as:
- Housing: Furnished accommodation
- Medical Coverage: For officers and their families
- Canteen and Officer’s Mess Access
- Loan Facilities: Reduced rates for housing, conveyance, and computers
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC): 60 days annual leave and 20 days casual leave
- Educational Benefits: Study leave, M.Tech opportunities, IGNOU tie-ups
Educational Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Leave (up to 24 months) | Allows officers to pursue further education with a study leave duration of up to 24 months. |
| M.Tech from IIT & BHU-IT | Officers in technical branches have the opportunity to pursue M.Tech from prestigious institutions like IIT and BHU-IT. |
| Tie-ups with IGNOU | Collaborations with IGNOU provide additional educational avenues for Air Force officers. |
Scholarships and Welfare
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Grants from AFWWA (Air Force Wives Welfare Association) | Officers can benefit from grants provided by AFWWA, supporting their welfare and well-being. |
Insurance
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Insurance Coverage | Officers are insured for ₹75 lakhs with an additional ₹10 lakhs for pilots, covering all contingencies. Monthly contribution rates are minimal. |
Loan Facilities
| Type of Loan | Details |
|---|---|
| House Building Loan | Loans for building houses. |
| Conveyance Loan | Loans for conveyance purposes. |
| Computer Loan | Loans for acquiring computers. |
Placement Cell
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Civil Job Opportunities | The placement cell assists retired officers in securing civil jobs after their service in the Air Force. |
Medical Allowances
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Medical Benefits | Comprehensive medical allowances for officers and their families. |
Post-Retirement Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Pension | Officers receive pension benefits post-retirement. |
| Insurance | Post-retirement insurance coverage is provided. |
| Medical | Lifetime medical access for retired officers. |
Other Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Recreational and Sports Facilities | Access to recreational and sports facilities. |
| Secured Camp Life | Secure and well-supported camp life. |
| Accommodation | Adequate accommodation facilities. |
| Rail Concessions | Concessions on rail travel. |
| Leave Travel Concessions | Leave travel concessions available. |
| School Facilities | Education facilities for officers’ children. |
| Institute and Messes Membership | Membership access to institutes and messes. |
| Leave – Annual and Casual | 60 days annual leave and 20 days casual leave. |
| CSD Facilities | Access to Canteen Stores Department (CSD) facilities. |
AFCAT Job Profile
A career in the Indian Air Force offers vast opportunities for growth and development. Officers start their journey as Flying Officers and can rise to the rank of Air Marshal. The Chief of Air Staff is the pinnacle of this career path. Below is an overview of the job profiles for different branches.
Job Descriptions by Branch
| Branch | Job Description |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | Operate fighter planes in combat, transport ammunition and materials, provide air support and supplies, and use helicopters in emergencies. |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | Maintain aircraft technical equipment, provide tools and equipment to technicians, handle aircraft service, and manage aircraft technical procedures. |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Manage fighter controller and air traffic controller roles, handle financial records, manage departmental logistics, and provide educational services. |
AFCAT Promotions and Career Growth
Promotions in the IAF are based on performance and tenure. Officers can advance through various ranks by demonstrating their capabilities and passing departmental exams.
Promotion Timeline
- Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant: After three years of service
- Flight Lieutenant to Squadron Leader: Requires passing departmental exams and generally occurs after six years of service
- Technical Officers: Benefit from a two-year advantage due to their engineering backgrounds
Promotion Exams
Officers must pass the “C” examination to qualify for promotions, which assesses their knowledge in general subjects and specialized areas related to their roles.
Rank Levels
| Post | Level |
|---|---|
| Flying Officer | Junior Level |
| Flying Lieutenant | |
| Squadron Leader | Executive Level |
| Wing Commander | |
| Group Captain | |
| Air Commodore | Director Level |
| Air Vice Marshal | |
| Air Marshal | |
| Air Chief Marshal | Chief Level |
This detailed article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the AFCAT salary structure, job profiles, and career growth opportunities in the Indian Air Force. With a competitive salary package, numerous allowances, and a wide range of benefits, a career in the IAF is both rewarding and prestigious.
FAQs
1. What is the basic pay for an AFCAT officer in 2024?
The basic pay for an AFCAT officer starts at ₹56,100 per month.
2. How is the in-hand salary calculated for AFCAT officers?
The in-hand salary includes the basic pay along with various allowances such as Military Service Pay (MSP), Dearness Allowance (DA), and branch-specific allowances like Flying Pay or Technical Pay.
3. What are the additional allowances for Flying Branch officers?
Flying Branch officers receive a Flying Allowance of ₹25,000 per month.
4. What allowances are provided to Technical Branch officers?
Technical Branch officers receive a Technical Allowance of ₹10,000 per month.
5. What is the gross salary for a Flying Branch officer?
The gross salary for a Flying Branch officer is approximately ₹1,22,024 per month.
